Inquisition

Inquisition – Definition: An official, religious investigation or trial characterized by disregard for truth and individual rights. It involves prejudice on the part of the examiners, foregone accusations of guilt and inhumane punishments.

For authorities to accuse the “guilty” persons they had to attack their loyalty or lack thereof. They could not attack their sterling character. In fact, sometimes they noted the high character of the accused and indicated that as part of their problem. “They are so bad but they look so good and that is what makes heretics so deceptive.” Imagine, being vilified for being good. That is part of the inquisition process.

Neither could they attack the Bible knowledge of the heretics. They were typically no match for the heretics in that area. The accusations had to be made on grounds of disloyalty. The heretics would not support the politics of the system so they had to be killed. The heretics insisted on teaching truth. The religious systems rejected any concepts that did not support their agenda.

Mennonites and Brethren were considered heretics. Those who opposed them had to do so with false accusations or with accusations of disloyalty or of not cooperating with the system. Their behavior was typically so exemplary that there could be no fault found in them. So, authorities had to find fault with their lack of participation in worldly activities and lack of loyalty to religious systems.

There are inquisitions today. They seldom kill people anymore, of course. But they would if they could and in some places, they do. Religious systems protect their politics by labeling people heretics if they will not support the systems. It has always been this way.

There are real heretics, of course. Real heretics are those who reject Bible teachings. People who will not espouse and defend religious systems are considered “heretics” by those who are the real heretics. Most of the time religious systems are controlled by real heretics. They typically have the power and the money to further their agenda and eliminate those they accuse.

Conducted under the guise of preserving the Church and doctrine, the inquisitions were the means of preserving religious systems. The prophets, Jesus, and Stephen all died at the hands of inquisitional “courts.”

Truth must stand. In spite of mock trials, inquisitions, and false accusations,